Josh Gordon Suspension Fantasy Impact

Browns receiver Josh Gordon will have a major impact on your fantasy team despite being suspended for the first two games of the year.

Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Josh Gordon failed a drug test after it revealed he was using codeine, this resulted in a two game suspension to open 2013. How will this suspension impact the fantasy value of Josh Gordon remains to be seen however. Here is a prediction for how his value will be affected by the suspension.

The fact that he was suspended for two games means that he had already failed a drug test at some point in his rookie season, or he would not have received the punishment he has been given. This is a warning sign moving forward for the talented young wideout, as he will have to make better life decisions if he wants to continue his career in the NFL.

Last year was a bit of a breakout year for the rookie wide receiver out of Baylor. He came into the league under the radar, as he was taken in the second round of the supplemental draft. Posting an impressive 50 catches for 805 yards and 5 touchdowns made him a household name for anyone playing fantasy football last year.

Bursting onto the scene with his big play ability, he became a popular waiver wire pickup after his huge debut against the New York Giants. In that game he only caught two passes, but turned them into 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the process.

As the leading receiver during his rookie season, many expect him to continue to develop into a legitimate number one receiver. Given the fact that his quarterback was also a rookie last year, the relationship the two have with each other should only grow stronger coming into this season.

The production that Josh Gordon produces once he is back on the field should not drop significantly as a result of being suspended, as he will only miss two games. He will have plenty of time to get back into a rhythm and once again be the only receiver worth touching on your fantasy team.

Because of this suspension, Josh Gordon’s fantasy draft stock will probably be negatively impacted. This is a good thing for the savvy drafter. Anyone who watched the flashes of big play talent Gordon was able to display last season should realize that he will far exceed the production he was able to put up last season, despite only being eligible for 14 games this year.

If you can land him in the later rounds of your draft, you have received the ultimate fantasy bargain. Number one receivers don’t usually linger on draft boards until the last rounds, yet Gordon probably will due so as a result of this suspension.

Build up some depth at receiver early and you can afford to hold Gordon on your bench for the first couple weeks as he sits out his suspension for codeine. After he returns to the field in week three, Josh Gordon will have a major impact on your fantasy team.